THE MUSSOLINI INCIDENT

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1931, Page 5

THE MUSSOLINI INCIDENT

DETAILS REVEALED. [United Press Association—By Eleetri Telegraph.—CY py right.] (Received 9.5 a. in.) NEW YORK. February 13 Advice from l.os Angeles states: .Mr Cornelius Vanderbilt junior, today told bis version of the ‘'.Mussolini bit and run story.” Asserting the aueei dole would have proved merely a squib compared with the issues which the testimony taken would have made public bad Butler courtmartial not been called off. Mr Yan- | derbin said: -'‘General Butler told a. story of mine and twisted if round to score a point for himself. He made me the goal. The testimony I would have given at the eourtmartial would have brought out statements made by the General at a gathering of members of the American Affiliated Lecture Bureau last November. These statements concerned the failure of a Foreign Power to live up to the terms of the Naval Pact entered into last year between the United States, Britain and Japan.” Air Vanderbilt said the third speaker at the November meeting at which bo and General Butler spoke, was an official of a Foreign Government. Mr Vanderbilt’s story of the Mussolini incident was: ‘‘l was riding with Mussolini who drove. A small child ran in front, of the machine at a sharp turn, and was bit. I looked back to see if the child was hurt. Mussolini placed a hand on my knee and said, “never look back Vanderbilt, always look abend in life.” General Butler lireard the story in a confidetnial meet- | ing.” Mr Vanderbilt said. “If 1 bad been called to the stand. I should have boon prepared wit'lj forty affidavits from persons bearing me out. that General Butler misquoted me. I should have been forced to tell what the other two speakers, including General .Butler said. One overt act on the part of Gencnd Butler will result, in my filing a legal action that will bring all these facts to light.” WASHINGTON. February 13. General Butler could not be reached to-day. but his counsel. Major Henry Leonard, said:—“So far as T know General Butler to this day never said anything about who told him the Mussolini incident.”